CORONATION Street writer Damon Rochefort has revealed he was honoured to help much-loved character Blanche Hunt have a proper soap send-off.

CORONATION Street writer Damon Rochefort has revealed he was honoured to help much-loved character Blanche Hunt have a proper soap send-off.

The Vale of Glamorgan writer, who has worked with the award-winning soap team for the past six years, said the funeral had to be fitting for one of the soap’s favourite characters.

Actress Maggie Jones passed away last December after a short illness and Damon revealed sparks will fly when Deirdre Barlow’s on-screen mum Blanche is laid to rest in two episodes tonight.

Damon, from Dinas Powys, who once had a number one hit as Nomad with (I Wanna Give You) Devotion, said it was crucial the writers found the right mix of sadness and humour for her funeral and wake scenes.

He said: “I didn’t actually know Maggie that well but I was asked to write the eulogy for her funeral and learned so much about her. I was very honoured to do that.

“Blanche was a formidable character who could say absolutely anything and it was a complete honour to be able to write her funeral. Her character was not universally liked, but the actress was universally loved.

“It was important to make it Blanche’s funeral not Maggie’s and it was important the Barlows were affected. She was the glue that held the family together. She would criticise Dierdre’s cottage pies and Ken’s books but whenever their marriage was in trouble, she would fight to keep it together. She was brilliant to write for because she delivered those one-liners so well.”

But, in true soap fashion, Damon admits the funeral will be anything but straightforward.

He said: “No-one does a funeral quite like Corrie but Monday’s episodes are extra special. As Ken helps a shattered Deirdre gird herself for the day ahead, they are more than aware that, thanks to her mother’s obsessions with other people’s funerals, this one better be a humdinger as Blanche will be up there somewhere glancing a judgemental, beady eye over proceedings.

“But one relative of Blanche’s who will cause the biggest surprise is caged killer, granddaughter Tracy, who rocks up handcuffed to a prison guard.

“She is genuinely upset about her gran’s death, she can’t help bring her own blend of tears, tantrums and traumas to the day, especially when she sees Becky playing mum to daughter Amy. It’s going to kick off!

“A fitting tribute to Blanche Hunt, one of soap’s legendary greats, and to the wonderful, unique performance of dear Maggie Jones. They will both be greatly missed.”

Damon, who used to work as a showbiz journalist on The Sun’s Bizarre column, joined the Street team six years ago after cutting his teeth in BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather. And the 41-year-old, who has written more than 120 episodes, said he couldn’t be happier.

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